Air Peace is anticipated to resume flight operations at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on 23 October. This improvement will increase passengers’ decisions following complaints about excessive airfares and restricted flight choices on the route.
Uwem Ekanem, particular adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on aviation and airport improvement, introduced the deliberate resumption on Monday throughout the state authorities’s ministerial briefing.
The official stated Air Peace’s return would improve passenger site visitors and provides travellers extra choices, particularly those that don’t need to take early-morning flights.
“You are well aware that at the moment we have early bird and then we fly in the evening,” the official stated, referring to Ibom Air’s schedule.
“But we need that traffic for those who do not want to depart so early in the day. I am sure those are some of the services Air Peace will offer when they commence operations.”
The deliberate return follows public criticism of the price of air journey to and from Uyo, the place passengers have complained about costly tickets and restricted options.
In August, PREMIUM TIMES reported public considerations concerning the excessive price of tickets on the Uyo route after a passenger, George Essien, stated he paid ₦227,000 for a Lagos-Uyo ticket after being unable to safe a seat for 3 days.
Ibom Air later attributed its excessive fares to sturdy passenger demand and decreased flight capability, saying its Uyo flights operated at load elements of 95 to 100 per cent.
The airline defined that its tickets had been bought in several fare classes, with the most cost effective seats changing into unavailable as bookings elevated. It additionally stated plane upkeep had decreased the frequency of its Lagos-Uyo and Abuja-Uyo companies from three each day flights to two.
Ibom Air stated it anticipated extra plane capability to make extra lower-priced tickets obtainable.
Punch newspaper had reported that Air Peace had introduced the cancellation of flights to some cities, together with Uyo, in January 2025.
Air Peace’s return might give passengers another service, though its impact on fares will rely on flight frequency, obtainable seats, and pricing.
Government rejects monopoly claims
Mr Ekanem dismissed options that Ibom Air had a monopoly on the airport, describing it as one of many operators utilizing the power.
“I hope this debunks the insinuation of a monopoly by Ibom Air. No. Ibom Air is just one operator,” the official stated.
The official described Ibom Air because the state’s flagship airline and a home-based operator however stated that the airport should entice different carriers to maintain its operations.
“We are in the business of maximising our revenue. The more carriers we have, the more offerings for our passengers and more money,” Mr Ekanem stated.
“My business is to ensure that I sustain our operations in a safe and efficient manner.”
The official didn’t present particulars of Air Peace’s proposed flight frequency or the locations it might serve from Uyo.
Airport funds
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State’s 2025 audited monetary statements present adjustments within the income and expenditure figures of the airport.
The statements present that charges paid to the Akwa Ibom Airport Development Company fell to ₦469.4 million in 2025 from ₦633.52 million in 2024.
Revenue from fines additionally declined, from ₦127,000 in 2024 to ₦100,000 in 2025, whereas gross sales elevated from ₦9.1 million to ₦10 million.
Earnings rose to ₦7 million in 2025 from ₦1.1 million within the previous 12 months. Revenue from lease recorded a considerable improve, rising to ₦37 million from ₦4.95 million.
Staff salaries stood at ₦948.96 million in 2025, in contrast with ₦956.03 million in 2024.
The airport’s overhead expenditure declined to ₦752.97 million from ₦1.14 billion over the identical interval.
The figures counsel a discount in some working prices and a rise in chosen income streams, though the obtainable figures alone don’t present whether or not the airport grew to become extra worthwhile or extra financially sustainable.
A overview of the 2025 Auditor-General’s report additionally signifies that the Akwa Ibom Airport Development Company was flagged over the non-submission of its 2025 monetary statements.
The failure to submit the statements raises questions concerning the firm’s monetary reporting and the extent to which its efficiency will be independently assessed.
The deliberate return of Air Peace comes at a time when the state-owned airport faces two associated challenges: increasing airline choices for passengers and demonstrating clear, sustainable administration of the power.
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